There are very few things impossible in themselves; and we do not want means to conquer difficulties so much as application and resolution in the use of means.

A man of understanding finds less difficulty in submitting to a wrong-headed fellow, than in attempting to set him right.

All the passions are nothing else than different degrees of heat and cold of the blood.

The health of the soul is as precarious as that of the body; for when we seem secure from passions, we are no less in danger of their infection than we are of falling ill when we appear to be well.

It is with certain good qualities as with the senses; those who have them not can neither appreciate nor comprehend them in others.

The reason why most women have so little sense of friendship is that this is but a cold and flat passion to those that have felt that of love.

In all professions each affects a look and an exterior to appear what he wishes the world to believe that he is. Thus we may say that the whole world is made up of appearances.